Fetterman courts GOP donors as Democratic support crumbles
The Pennsylvania senator is fundraising from Republicans and voting with them at record rates, but insists he won't leave the party.
In brief
The Pennsylvania senator is fundraising from Republicans and voting with them at record rates, but insists he won't leave the party. Senator John Fetterman is raising money from Republican donors and voting with Republicans on twenty-six percent of Senate votes in twenty twenty-five, the highest rate of any Senate…
Democrat turns to Republican donors
Senator John Fetterman of Pennsylvania is sending fundraising appeals through email addresses linked to Republican candidates and committees, including gopsquad.com, seeking cash from GOP supporters.
“I'm always going to reject Socialism and the Anti-American way of life”
From progressive to conservative ally
Fetterman, once backed by Bernie Sanders, has built his political identity around opposing the left, supporting Israel, and embracing conservative voters since arriving in the Senate in twenty twenty-three.
Republican senator's blunt assessment
A fundraising email from Republican Senator Mike Lee of Utah declared about Fetterman, 'He's basically a Republican now,' highlighting how far the Pennsylvania Democrat has shifted politically.
“He's basically a Republican now”
Fundraising collapse among Democrats
Fetterman raised roughly seventy-six million dollars before taking office in twenty twenty-three, but only seven point four million during his first two years in the Senate and less than two million since twenty twenty-five began.
Record Republican voting rate
Fetterman voted with Trump and Republicans on twenty-six percent of Senate votes during twenty twenty-five, the highest rate of any Senate Democrat, siding with them on immigration, funding, nominees and military force.
Democratic critics call him a distraction
Rep. Brendan Boyle of Pennsylvania called Fetterman 'Trump's favourite Democrat' over a year ago. Rep. Chris Deluzio says Fetterman has become a distraction from the party's midterm efforts and combating the Trump Administration.
“Trump's favorite Democrat”
Fetterman refuses to switch parties
Fetterman insists he has no intention of joining the Republican Party, arguing Democrats should be a big-tent party. He says he still votes with Democrats on most partisan matters and has no path as a Republican.
“I don't have a reason to join the Republican Party”
Pennsylvania Republicans prefer him to their senator
A poll by The New York Times, The Philadelphia Inquirer and Siena University found Pennsylvania Republicans view Fetterman more favourably than they view Republican Senator Dave McCormick. Nearly two-thirds of Pennsylvania Democrats view Fetterman unfavourably.
Fetterman's slip reveals his position
When asked why he hadn't left the Democratic Party, Fetterman said 'Because I'm a lifelong Republican,' then immediately caught himself and joked the line would go viral, capturing his peculiar place in American politics.
“Because I'm a lifelong Republican”
What to remember
Senator John Fetterman is raising money from Republican donors and voting with Republicans on twenty-six percent of Senate votes in twenty twenty-five, the highest rate of any Senate Democrat, while his Democratic fundraising has collapsed.
